By Favour Nnabugwu & Leo Uriri

THE Federal government has assured Nigerians that the N3.26bn Benin-Adumagbae Egba-Akure Road in Edo and Akure will be completed in 2016.

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen who visited the construction site, said the 22.22 kilometre road was awarded to Enerco Nigeria Limited after a rigorous procurement process with a view to realising the contract within appreciable 48 months time frame.

He further explained that the road which connects Edo and Ondo is significant to the Federal Government because it transverses many communities with abundant raw materials and farm produce. The project is an initiative of the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, Sen. Ehigie Uzamere, and Rep. Nosakhare Osahon, all members of the opposition APC.

“It was supposed to be a constituency project for the minority whip of the House of Representatives but my ministry, the Federal Ministry of Works has a privilege of midwifing this particular project even though it is a constituency project and of course we have to bring our standard on it. This particular project is as a result of the good collaboration between two opposing political parties,” he said.

Onolememen said upon completion of the Benin/Adumagbae-Egba-Akure Road in Edo/Ondo States, the route would enhance socio-economic activities in the various states.

The project whose contract was awarded on December 4, 2013 by the Federal Executive Council,  would on completion, serve as an alternative route for travelers from the Western part to the South-South and the South-Eastern zones.

The Minister enjoined the benefiting communities and their traditional rulers to give the contractor all the necessary support to enable them to deliver the project on schedule.

The representative of the area in the House of Reps, Mr. Osagie said the project would bring together all members and indigenes of Uhunmwode Local Government, irrespective of their political leanings..

“For me, this project can be called unity road and it is my belief that the contractor will do a good job.

“I shall constantly be on the look out to ensure that this job is done as specified by the ministry and I will continue to ensure funding for the project from the federal budget,’’ he said.